Joseph Benjamin “J.B.” Hutto, born on April 26, 1926, in Blackville, South Carolina, was a formidable figure in the Chicago blues scene, celebrated for his electrifying slide guitar technique and powerful vocals. At the age of three, his family relocated to Augusta, Georgia, where he and his siblings formed a gospel group called the Golden Crowns, performing in local churches. Following the death of his father in 1949, the family moved to Chicago, marking the beginning of Hutto’s profound impact on the blues genre.
In Chicago, Hutto initially played drums with Johnny Ferguson and his Twisters before transitioning to guitar. He teamed up with percussionist Eddie “Porkchop” Hines, and together they performed on the streets, eventually forming a band named the Hawks. This ensemble, which included guitarist Joe Custom and harmonica player Earring George Mayweather, recorded several tracks in 1954 for Chance Records. Despite these early recordings, Hutto temporarily stepped away from music in the late 1950s, disheartened after an incident where his guitar was destroyed during a club altercation. He spent the next decade working as a janitor in a funeral home.
The mid-1960s saw Hutto’s return to the blues scene with a reformed version of the Hawks, featuring bassist Herman Hassell and drummer Frank Kirkland. His resurgence led to recordings with Vanguard Records, including contributions to the acclaimed compilation “Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol. 1.” He also released albums under the Testament and Delmark labels, with “Hawk Squat” (1968) standing out as a seminal work that showcased his raw energy and distinctive slide guitar prowess.
Following the death of fellow slide guitarist Hound Dog Taylor in 1975, Hutto briefly led Taylor’s band, the House Rockers. In the late 1970s, he moved to Boston and formed the New Hawks, with whom he recorded the album “Slippin’ and Slidin'” in 1983. This album, later reissued as “Rock with Me Tonight,” is often hailed as one of his finest works, capturing the essence of his dynamic style.
In the early 1980s, Hutto returned to Illinois, where he was diagnosed with carcinoid cancer. He passed away on June 12, 1983, in Harvey, Illinois, at the age of 57. His legacy was cemented with his posthumous induction into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1985. Hutto’s influence endures, notably through his nephew, Lil’ Ed Williams of Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials, who continues to perform in a style reminiscent of his uncle’s passionate approach to the blues.
J.B. Hutto’s discography includes notable albums such as “Hawk Squat” (1968), “Slidewinder” (1973), and “Slippin’ and Slidin'” (1984). His music remains a testament to the power and emotion of Chicago blues, inspiring generations of musicians and blues enthusiasts alike.
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